Chapter 13: Song Jiuli’s Self-inflicted Consequences

When Xiao Deng brought over a whole roasted chicken, everyone else widened their eyes, their gazes towards Jiang Wan filled with envy.

Even Song Jiuli and Shen Qian couldn’t help but swallow, clearly salivating.

However, Jiang Wan didn’t take it. “You don’t have to be so polite; it’s just a small favor.”

While saying this, Jiang Wan’s eyes were fixed on the roasted chicken. After all, since arriving in this world, she had barely had time to eat a proper meal, and her taste buds were about to go dull from lack of flavor.

Xiao Deng seemed to have seen through Jiang Wan’s thoughts and pushed the chicken into her hands. “Here, eat. I asked over, and he didn’t object.”

In reality, Ren Bang was her brother-in-law, and her little brother had almost been bitten by a poisonous snake, so she had to comfort him a bit, lest his wife complain when he returned home.

Jiang Wan had no idea she had inadvertently saved the little brother in charge. Holding the roasted chicken, a faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

“Then I won’t be polite, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Xiao Deng didn’t linger long, and as soon as he left, everyone from the Song family couldn’t hold back anymore. They all stared hungrily at the roasted chicken in Jiang Wan’s hands, their eyes practically glowing with greed.

“Big sister-in-law, grandmother hasn’t had any meat for a day.”

Shen Qian, thinking herself clever, brought up the old lady. She hoped that once Jiang Wan opened the door, she would have to share the chicken and divide it up like she did.

But Jiang Wan wasn’t so easy to deal with. She raised an eyebrow. “Yes, how could you younger ones let grandmother go without food?”

Just as Shen Qian smugly thought Jiang Wan was falling into her trap, Jiang Wan said seriously:

“Second uncle, third uncle, you should figure out a way to get some meat for grandmother.”

“Don’t you have some right there?”

Song Lao Er couldn’t help but swallow, staring at the roasted chicken on the table, which only got a single bite earlier. Now, he craved meat so badly he almost wanted to cry.

Jiang Wan’s expression turned cold. “This was a gift given to me as thanks. We’re already separated. Each family should mind their own business.”

The implication was clear: they shouldn’t even think about the roasted chicken.

Song Lao Er’s face sank. Both Song Lao Er and Song Lao San stared at Jiang Wan in disbelief, and then turned to Song Daniu.

“Big sister-in-law, who’s the head of this house, you or her?”

“This roasted chicken was a gift from someone to thank Wanwan, so she has the final say.”

Song Daniu was clear-headed, and Jiang Wan was pleased with her response, handing her a chicken drumstick.

“Mom, eat some meat to regain your strength. We still have a long road ahead.”

“Alright, thank you, Wanwan.”

Song Daniu smiled faintly, her heart relieved since Yuen’er was doing a little better. Her own heart felt lighter.

This scene was particularly eye-catching, but Xiao Deng and Ren Bang were watching them from afar. When Song Lao Er and the others saw the whip in Ren Bang’s hands, they decided to swallow their anger.

But they were still upset inside. Song Lao Er angrily scolded Shen Qian, “You talk too much. Get some dry rations!”

“Dad, I don’t have many dry rations left either.”

Shen Qian looked toward Song Chen for help, but the guy didn’t dare challenge his father. Reluctantly, she took out the dry rations, and soon, they were all gone.

Truly, she had shot herself in the foot. Jiang Wan almost laughed out loud.

“Hubby, eat.”

She handed a chicken drumstick to Song Jiuyuan. Luckily, the chicken was tender and unseasoned, so Song Jiuyuan, still recovering, could eat it.

“Thank you.”

Though Song Jiuyuan was weak, he was able to eat on his own now.

After dividing the chicken, Jiang Wan didn’t want to give any to Song Jiuchi at first, but then she thought, if he didn’t have the strength, he’d be the one to carry Song Jiuyuan. She’d end up exhausted later. So, she gave him some chicken as well, though not much. Song Jiuchi had a stubborn personality, but still, he muttered a soft “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’m just doing this for your brother’s sake.”

Jiang Wan made it clear, as she wasn’t one to curry favor with others. People had already looked down on her, and she wasn’t one to kiss up to anyone.

Song Jiuli, her mouth watering, thought that next, it should be her turn.

But all the good meat had already been divided up, and she feared she’d end up with nothing but bones.

She saw Jiang Wan break off a piece of chicken. Although the meat was scarce, it was still something, so she reached out to grab it, only to find Jiang Wan already biting into it.

Song Jiuli: !!!

“What about mine?”

Song Jiuli glared at Jiang Wan angrily, wondering why she was being left out.

“You said you wouldn’t eat my food anymore. If you want to eat, go find it yourself!”

Jiang Wan looked innocent as she took another bite of the chicken. The roasted chicken wasn’t big, and after sharing, there wasn’t much left. But it was still meat, even if it was bland since it wasn’t seasoned.

Song Jiuli: !!!

She felt as if struck by a thunderbolt, remembering her earlier words. Her face turned red, and she became so angry that tears started flowing.

“I won’t eat it, fine!”

Song Jiuli pouted as she sat down and bit into some dry bread, crying as she chewed, as though she had suffered great injustice.

Meanwhile, Jiang Wan pretended not to notice and calmly continued to eat the chicken, savoring every bite.

Song Jiuchi, seeing his twin sister so upset and too shy to approach Jiang Wan, thought to offer his chicken to Song Jiuli.

But he was stopped by Song Daniu, who shook her head at her youngest son. “Let her learn a lesson. We are no longer the same as before. We are now exiled people, and we must grow up if we are to face the difficult road ahead.”

Although Song Daniu was a fragile woman, she saw things clearly, which was why she could quickly accept Jiang Wan. She understood that unity was the key to their survival.

Song Jiuchi felt a tight knot in his chest but didn’t argue with his mother. He chewed his chicken, which tasted like cardboard in his mouth, and it felt unpleasant.

On the other hand, Song Jiuyuan was eerily calm. He finished his chicken leg and even drank some water from the cup Jiang Wan handed him.

Jiang Wan understood that the psychological blow was hardest for Song Jiuyuan, and he was probably still adjusting his emotions.

But that was none of her business. She leisurely finished the chicken, washed her hands, and then it was time to continue their journey.

On the way, Song Jiuli continued to cry quietly, but Jiang Wan acted as if she didn’t see it. She had brought this upon herself!

Because she had saved Xiao Deng, no one stopped Jiang Wan from picking herbs along the road. As long as she didn’t fall behind, everything was fine. This trust infuriated Shen Qian, so she quietly walked up to Song Jiuli and comforted her.

“Li’er, don’t be angry. Jiang Wan is just like that. We have to get used to it.”

“She’s just a woman abandoned by her family. What gives her the right to be so arrogant?”

Song Jiuli sniffled and wiped her tears. Shen Qian’s closeness seemed to make her feel like she had someone to complain to, so she started venting her frustrations.

“Yes, yes, she really doesn’t have the right to be so arrogant.”

Shen Qian’s eyes spun with ideas. Lowering her voice, she complained to Song Jiuli:

“But who told her she saved the officer? Now the officer is much kinder to her than to us, so we can’t openly pick a fight with her.”